SPECTRUM 2007-2008

My petite appearance affects other people’s reactions towards me. I am not very tall, and apparently I look very young to most people. Last week, when I was bartending, an elderly couple arrived and asked me if I was old enough to work behind the bar. I told them that I am almost twenty-one years old. I rolled my eyes, because they didn’t even think I was eighteen. At the grocery store, I have a hard time with the top shelves, and I can’t always find help when I need it. For example, one time at the grocery store, I reached into the standing freezer and knocked a whole row of food back, which made it impossible to reach. To make matters worse, the manager stood right behind me and saw the whole thing. I was so embarrassed! Often times, I am wrongly perceived as weak or frail, with my small size. For example, I bartended last Friday, and the keg was empty, so I carried a new sixty pound keg to replace it. The patrons there were amazed that I didn’t need any help. The dumb comments annoy me. For example, one time my taller cousin told me, “Wow, you’re short.” Its frustrating hearing comments like this because most likely this is as tall as I will ever be, and I will only shrink with age. I can only accept my small size and to be thankful that I’m not eight feet tall.